Beating Michigan would be 'massive' for perception of James Franklin, Penn State program

When fans think of the Big Ten, they think of Michigan and Ohio State. Then, Penn State lies a tier below. It’s an understandable image. Penn State hasn’t defeated the Wolverines and Buckeyes in the same season since 2008.

While Penn State already fell to Ohio State this season, it has a chance to defeat Michigan for the first time since 2020. Blue White Illustrated’s Sean Fitz believes a win this weekend could rocket the Nittanly Lions into rare air in the Big Ten.

“It’d be massive,” Fitz told On3’s Andy Staples. “Look at the history under James Franklin, big games, where do they go? They go to the other side. When we talk about him not wanting to be distracted by Michigan, he’s got enough things to worry about because of his record against top teams.

“You look at what Penn State has been able to do is just get to the doorstep and then just kind of stand outside,” Fitz said. “That’s been the MO for this team for so long. It would be unbelievably huge, especially when you take a look at the potential tiebreaker on the other side.”

If Penn State secures a victory against Michigan, Michigan prevails over Ohio State, and all three teams end with an 11-1 record, the tiebreaker for the East Division will be determined by their performance against teams from the Big Ten West Division.

To resolve the three-way division tie, the Big Ten will assess the overall conference records of these three teams’ opponents from the West Division. After this Saturday’s games, the Lions currently hold the lead in the tiebreaker race.

This could be Penn State’s year

Penn State hasn’t reached the Big Ten Championship since 2016. Nonetheless, with a little luck, Fitz believes this could be the Nittany Lions’ year.

“When you take a look at the potential tiebreaker on the other side, with the teams that they play in the Big Ten,” Fitz continued, “you think Penn State has played Iowa, Northwestern, Illinois, and you think, ‘Well, Penn State doesn’t have a shot and then you look at who the other teams have played, and their record is worse. It’s unbelievably funny.

“If there’s a better call for abolishing divisions, I don’t know what there is,” Fitz said. “It’s been funny to watch this. And if Penn State’s in the [Big Ten] West, it’s a different story.”

The Nittany Lions will square off against Michigan at noon ET on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on FOX.